三七总皂甙对博莱霉素所致小鼠肺纤维化的干预作用

目的:观察三七总皂甙(PNS)对实验性小鼠肺纤维化的干预作用。方法:小鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型对照组、醋酸泼尼松组和PNS大、中、小剂量组。通过气管内注入博莱霉素(BLM)复制小鼠肺纤维化模型,于造模后第2天各治疗组开始给药,于给药后第7、14、28 d处死部分小鼠,取肺组织,行HE染色,并测定肺组织中羟脯氨酸(HYP)含量。结果PNS能减少实验性肺纤维化小鼠肺组织中胶原沉积及降低肺系数(P<0.05,P<0.01),减轻肺部的病理损害(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论:PNS对BLM诱导产生的小鼠肺纤维化有一定的抑制作用。     

大鼠肺纤维化形成中肺内肥大细胞结缔组织生长因子的表达

目的：观察博莱霉素（BLM）诱导肺纤维化形成中肺肥大细胞（MCs）是否表达结缔组织生长因子（CTGF）。方法：32只雄性SD大鼠,随机分为博莱霉素（BLM）组和对照（Control）组（n=16）。BLM组为气管内一次性滴注BLM（5mg／ks）;Control组为气管内滴注与BLM等容量的生理盐水（NS）。各组分别在气管滴注后第14天和第28天处死大鼠,取肺组织样本。用氯胺-T法检测肺组织羟脯氨酸含量以判断肺纤维化程度;用甲苯胺蓝染色显示肺组织切片中的MCs;免疫组化染色显示肺CTGF的表达和分布。结果：①与对照大鼠比,气管内滴注BLM后第28天大鼠的肺羟脯氨酸含量明显增高（P〈0．01）。②与对照大鼠比,气管内滴注BLM后第14天和第28天大鼠肺内MCs数明显增多（均P〈0．01）,肺内CTGF表达上调（均P〈0．01）。③对照大鼠肺内未见CTGF免疫阳性的MCs;而气管内滴注BLM后第14天和第28天大鼠肺内病灶区中有CTGF免疫阳性的MCs。结论：肺纤维化形成中肺MCs表达CTGF,这可能是MCs促进肺纤维化的作用机制之一。     

黄芩苷防止肺纤维化大鼠肺内结缔组织生长因子的上调

为探讨黄芩苷(baicalin,Bai)防止肺纤维化的机制,本研究观察了Bai对肺纤维化大鼠肺内结缔组织生长因子(connective tissue growth factor,CTGF)上调的影响。将雄性Sprague-Dawley(SD)大鼠随机分为4组:生理盐水(normal saline,NS)+NS组(气管内滴注NS,随后每天腹腔注射NS一次)、NS+Bai组(气管内滴注NS,随后每天腹腔注射Bai一次)、博莱霉素(bleomycin,BLM)+NS组(气管内滴注BLM,随后每天腹腔注射NS一次)和BLM+Bai组(气管内滴注BLM,随后每天腹腔注射Bai一次)。Bai的剂量分别为每天6、12.5或50mg/kg。各组于气管内一次性滴注BLM或NS后第28天处死动物,取肺组织样本。采用氯胺-T法检测肺组织羟脯氨酸含量(反映肺纤维化程度的指标),用RT-PCR和免疫组织化学方法检测肺CTGF的表达。结果显示,BLM+NS组大鼠肺羟脯氨酸含量、CTGF蛋白及mRNA水平均明显高于NS+NS组大鼠(均P0.01),提示BLM诱导了大鼠的肺纤维化,且纤维化肺内出现CTGF表达的上调。BLM+Bai组大鼠连续28d每天腹腔注射6、12.5或50mg/kgBai后,BLM所致的肺纤维化明显减轻,同时肺CTGF表达的上调也得到明显抑制。以上结果提示,Bai可防止肺纤维化大鼠肺内CTGF表达的上调,这可能是其防止肺纤维化形成的作用机制之一。     

罗格列酮联合地塞米松上调GR减缓博莱霉素诱导的大鼠肺纤维化

目的:探讨PPARγ配体罗格列酮联合糖皮质激素对博莱霉素诱导的大鼠肺纤维化的干预作用和对糖皮质激素受体(GR)表达的影响,为治疗肺纤维化提供新方向。方法:30只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组(C组)、模型组(M组)、罗格列酮干预组(R组)、地塞米松干预组(D组)、罗格列酮+地塞米松干预组(R+D组),每组动物6只。气管内注入博莱霉素(5 mg/kg)的方法构建大鼠肺纤维化模型,C组气管内注入同等量生理盐水作为对照;各组于造模24小时后分别给各组大鼠生理盐水、地塞米松、罗格列酮、罗格列酮+地塞米松灌胃干预;第21天以心腔抽血法处死,左肺做病理切片行HE及Masson染色观察肺纤维化情况、免疫组化测GR表达情况,右肺用比色法测羟脯氨酸(Hyp)含量。结果:(1)造模后第21天M组和R组体重均小于C组(P<0.01)但大于D组(P<0.01)。(2)M组肺组织Hyp含量较C组增高(P<0.01);R组和D组肺组织Hyp含量较M组减低(P<0.01),但高于R+D组(P<0.05)。(3)Masson染色示M组肺组织纤维化程度较C组增高(P<0.01),R组和D组肺纤维化评分较M组减低(P<0.01),但高于R+D组(P<0.05)。(4)M组GR表达较C组下降(P<0.01);R组和D组GR表达较M组增强(P<0.01),但低于R+D组(P<0.01)。结论:罗格列酮和小剂量地塞米松均可上调大鼠肺组织GR的表达减轻博莱霉素诱导的大鼠肺纤维化,罗格列酮对体重的影响明显小于地塞米松,二者联合使用有协同效应,提示罗格列酮和地塞米松联合有望成为治疗肺纤维化的新方法。     

罗格列酮联合地塞米松上调GR减缓博莱霉素诱导的大鼠肺纤维化

目的:探讨PPARγ配体罗格列酮联合糖皮质激素对博莱霉素诱导的大鼠肺纤维化的干预作用和对糖皮质激素受体(GR)表达的影响,为治疗肺纤维化提供新方向.方法:30只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组(C组)、模型组(M组)、罗格列酮干预组(R组)、地塞米松干预组(D组)、罗格列酮+地塞米松干预组(R+D组),每组动物6只.气管内注入博莱霉素(5mg/kg)的方法构建大鼠肺纤维化模型,C组气管内注入同等量生理盐水作为对照;各组于造模24小时后分别给各组大鼠生理盐水、地塞米松、罗格列酮、罗格列酮+地塞米松灌胃干预;第21天以心腔抽血法处死,左肺做病理切片行HE及Masson染色观察肺纤维化情况、免疫组化测GR表达情况,右肺用比色法测羟脯氨酸(Hyp)含量.结果:(1)造模后第21天M组和R组体重均小于C组(P＜0.01)但大于D组(P＜0.01).(2)M组肺组织Hyp含量较C组增高(P＜0.01);R组和D组肺组织Hyp含量较M组减低(P＜0.01),但高于R+D组(P＜0.05).(3)Masson染色示M组肺组织纤维化程度较C组增高(P＜0.01),R组和D组肺纤维化评分较M组减低(P＜0.01),但高于R+D组(P＜0.05).(4)M组GR表达较C组下降(P＜0.01);R组和D组GR表达较M组增强(P＜0.01),但低于R+D组(P＜0.01).结论:罗格列酮和小剂量地塞米松均可上调大鼠肺组织GR的表达减轻博莱霉素诱导的大鼠肺纤维化,罗格列酮对体重的影响明显小于地塞米松,二者联合使用有协同效应,提示罗格列酮和地塞米松联合有望成为治疗肺纤维化的新方法.     

博来霉素致肺纤维化大鼠形态学变化的实验研究

目的　观察博来霉素 (Bleomycin ,BLM)致大鼠肺纤维化模型的形态学及胶原含量的变化 ,探讨其发生机制。方法　健康SD大鼠 ,BLM 5mg (kg·bw)复制大鼠肺纤维化模型 ,于 1、3、7、14、2 8d ,观察肺纤维化形成的病理变化和肺匀浆羟脯氨酸 (HYP)的含量变化。结果　光镜所见 :给予BLM后 1- 7d肺部病变以肺泡炎为主 ,14d以后则进入慢性纤维化阶段。电镜所见 :模型组 3- 7dⅠ型细胞受损 ;Ⅱ型细胞增生 ,其内板层小体明显增多 ,线粒体嵴消失甚至出现空泡样变 ;14 - 2 8dⅡ型细胞数目减少 ,纤维组织增生。模型组肺组织匀浆HYP含量于 7d开始明显增加 ,2 8d达高峰。结论　博来霉素诱发大鼠肺纤维化早期以肺泡炎为主 ,7d开始出现肺纤维化 ,2 8d肺纤维化为主要病变     

通络益气方对博来霉素致大鼠肺纤维化的治疗作用研究

目的:研究通络益气方对博来霉素致大鼠模型肺组织病理及肺组织羟脯氨酸(HYP)的影响。方法:将36只SPF级健康6周龄Wistar雄性大鼠置于SPF级条件下,适应性试养3天后,分为3组:空白组、模型组、治疗组,每组12只。除空白组外,其余两组,在清醒状态下,放入与小动物雾化给药仪相连的30 cm×30 cm×20 cm自制玻璃箱中,雾化吸入浓度为5 g/L(50%)的博莱霉素,雾化20分钟,休息5分钟,一天连续激发2小时,连续刺激4周。空白组在同样条件下雾化吸入0.9%生理盐水,操作方法与其余两组相同。治疗组大鼠造模后第2天起给予通络益气方,通络益气方溶液按体质量给予大鼠药液1 m L/100 g灌胃,每次于雾化前1h灌胃;模型组、正常组均给予生理盐水(1 m L/100 g)灌胃。各组大鼠连续刺激4周后,用1%戊巴比妥钠(50 mg/kg)麻醉后,待其肌肉松驰、呼吸平稳后,仰面固定于专用板上,用动物专用CT进行肺扫描。各组大鼠在末次诱导后,24 h内腹腔注射1%戊巴比妥钠麻醉后,取肺组织进行HE和Masson染色,观察各组大鼠肺组织病理HE染色、Masson染色及肺组织中HYP的含量。结果:与空白组(0.76±0.06)相比,治疗组(1.11±0.13)、模型组(1.47±0.22)HYP均升高(P<0.05);与模型组(1.47±0.22)相比,治疗组(1.11±0.13)HYP明显降低(P<0.05)。结论:通络益气方能降低对肺纤维化大鼠肺组织中胶原的沉积,起到治疗肺纤维化的作用,与通络益气方抑制HYP胶原蛋白的表达有关。     

黄芪甲甙干预大鼠肺纤维化相关基因的时空表达

目的:通过基因芯片技术研究大鼠肺纤维化不同时间点和应用黄芪甲甙干预后的基因差异表达,寻找肺纤维化的致病基因和应用黄芪甲甙进行干预治疗相关的靶基因.方法:用含41000个基因的安捷伦大鼠芯片同模型组7天和模型组28天以及BLM+黄芪甲甙组28天的大鼠肺组织进行杂交.利用安捷伦基因扫描仪扫描杂交图像.模型组7天和BLM+黄芪甲甙组与模型组28天进行比较,筛选Ratio值大于2的差异基因进行分析,重复3次.结果:模型组28天对比7天共有2063个基因表达差异,筛选109个基因,43个上调,66个下调.黄芪甲甙28天组对比模型28天组4269个基因表达差异,筛选68个基因,45个上调,23个下调.通过GO和PATHWAY分析软件,提示有不同的功能分类和信号传导途径.结论:基因芯片为了解肺纤维化不同时间点的基因表达的异常,以及黄芪甲甙治疗肺纤维化的可能机制和药物靶基因的提供了理论基础.     

罗格列酮对肺纤维化大鼠肺动脉壁结缔组织生长因子表达的影响

目的:观察过氧化物酶体增殖活化受体γ(PPAR-γ)激动剂罗格列酮(RSG)对肺纤维化大鼠肺动脉壁结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)上调、Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型胶原沉积的影响。方法:48只雄性SD大鼠,随机分为以下4组:博莱霉素(BLM)+生理盐水(NS)组(n=21)、BLM+RSG组(n=9)、NS+NS组(n=9)和NS+RSG组(n=9)。气管内一次性滴注BLM(5mg/kgbw),RSG灌胃(3mg/(kg.d),14d)。整体实验,气管滴注后第14天观察;离体实验,气管滴注BLM后第14天,分离大鼠的肺动脉,并用RSG培养液和单纯培养液孵育(37℃,5%CO2,24h)。结果:在整体水平,与对照大鼠相比,BLM模型大鼠肺动脉壁的CTGF免疫阳性表达增强,CTGF蛋白含量、Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型胶原含量、Ⅰ/Ⅲ胶原比值均增高(均P0.05);RSG能阻止上述指标的异常变化(均P0.05);在离体水平,RSG能阻止BLM模型大鼠肺动脉壁CTGF的上调(P0.05),但对Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型胶原沉积无明显影响(P0.05)。结论:RSG能直接作用于肺动脉壁,阻止肺纤维化大鼠肺动脉壁CTGF的上调,这可能是其减轻动脉壁结构重塑的机制之一。     

EGFR 对博莱霉素诱导小鼠肺纤维化中上皮- 间质转分化的影响

目的:探讨表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)在肺内的表达对博莱霉素(BLM)诱导小鼠肺纤维化中上皮-间质转分化的影响。方法:将40只4～6周龄C57BLB/c雄性小鼠随机分为正常对照组(气管滴入PBS),纤维化组(气管滴入BLM 3 mg/kg),EGFRRNAi组(气管滴入BLM 3 mg/kg+气管滴入siRNA 20μl)和RNAi阴性对照组(气管滴入BLM 3 mg/kg+气管滴入siRNA阴性对照20μl)。实验第10天处死小鼠,收获肺组织,检测羟脯氨酸含量;采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法检测EGFR和α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)mRNA的表达;肺组织切片行HE染色观察肺组织病理改变,免疫组化染色检测EGFR和α-SMA表达。结果:纤维化组EGFR和α-SMA两者的mRNA和蛋白表达均较正常对照组显著增加;RNAi组肺病理损伤较纤维化组减轻,气道上皮下胶原沉积及肺羟脯氨酸含量减少(P<0.05),肺组织EGFR和α-SMA两者的mRNA和蛋白表达均较纤维化组显著下降(P<0.05)。结论:在博来霉素诱导的肺纤维化中EGFR RNAi抑制EGFR活化,下调α-SMA的表达,减轻了博莱霉素诱导的肺纤维化病理改变。其抑制肺纤维化病理过程可能与其抑制上皮-间质转分化(EMT)有关。     

Role for dopamine in malonate-induced damage in vivo in striatum and in vitro in mesencephalic cultures

Defects in mitochondrial energy metabolism have been implicated in the pathology of several neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, the reactive metabolites generated from the metabolism and oxidation of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) are thought to contribute to the damage to neurons of the basal ganglia. We have previously demonstrated that infusions of the metabolic inhibitor malonate into the striata of mice or rats produce degeneration of DA nerve terminals. In the present studies, we demonstrate that an intrastriatal infusion of malonate induces a substantial increase in DA efflux in awake, behaving mice as measured by in vivo microdialysis. Furthermore, pretreatment of mice with tetrabenazine (TBZ) or the TBZ analogue Ro 4-1284 (Ro-4), compounds that reversibly inhibit the vesicular storage of DA, attenuates the malonate-induced DA efflux as well as the damage to DA nerve terminals. Consistent with these findings, the damage to both DA and GABA neurons in mesencephalic cultures by malonate exposure was attenuated by pretreatment with TBZ or Ro-4. Treatment with these compounds did not affect the formation of free radicals or the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation resulting from malonate exposure alone. Our data suggest that DA plays an important role in the neurotoxicity produced by malonate. These findings provide direct evidence that inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase causes an increase in extracellular DA levels and indicate that bioenergetic defects may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic neurodegenerative diseases through a mechanism involving DA.     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

2017年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2017年中国植物科学继续保持高速发展态势, 重大成果频出, 具体表现在中国植物学家在国际顶级学术期刊发表的文章数量平稳上升。中国植物科学领域的研究工作者成果精彩纷呈, 如新型广谱抗病机制的发现、水稻广谱抗病遗传基础及机制和疫霉菌诱发病害成灾机制研究等。2017年中国生命科学领域十大进展评选中, 有两项植物科学领域的研究成果入选。水稻生物学、进化与基因组学和激素生物学等领域学科发展突出。另外, 值得一提的是, 长期从事高等植物与代谢途径调控分子网络研究和水稻品种设计育种的李家洋院士的研究成果“水稻高产优质性状形成的分子机理及品种设计”荣获2017年国家自然科学一等奖。这一具有重大国际影响的开创性贡献标志着中国植物科学在该领域的国际科学前沿居于引领和卓越地位。该文对2017年中国本土科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了系统梳理, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域发展的最新前沿动态, 与广大读者共同分享我国科学家所取得的辉煌成就。     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义。综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望。     

SSTR5 ablation in islet results in alterations in glucose homeostasis in mice

Somatostatin (SST) peptide is a potent inhibitor of insulin secretion and its effect is mediated via somatostatin receptor 5 (SSTR5) in the endocrine pancreas. To investigate the consequences of gene ablation of SSTR5 in the mouse pancreas, we have generated a mouse model in which the SSTR5 gene was specifically knocked down in the pancreatic beta cells (betaSSTR5Kd) using the Cre-lox system. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that SSTR5 gene expression was absent in beta cells at three months of age. At the time of gene ablation, betaSSTR5Kd mice demonstrated glucose intolerance with lack of insulin response and significantly reduced serum insulin levels. Insulin tolerance test demonstrated a significant increase of insulin clearance in vivo at the same age. In vitro studies demonstrated an absence of response to SST-28 stimulation in the betaSSTR5Kd mouse islet, which was associated with a significantly reduced SST expression level in betaSSTR5Kd mice pancreata. In addition, betaSSTR5Kd mice had significantly reduced serum glucose levels and increased serum insulin levels at 12 months of age. Glucose tolerance test at an older age also indicated a persistently higher insulin level in betaSSTR5Kd mice. Further studies of betaSSTR5Kd mice had revealed elevated serum C-peptide levels at both 3 and 12 months of age, suggesting that these mice are capable of producing and releasing insulin to the periphery. These results support the hypothesis that SSTR5 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of insulin secretion in the mouse pancreas.     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义.综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望.     

Changes in aquatic vegetation in Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace in relation to disturbance

Abstract. Changes are described in aquatic vegetation in oligotrophic, groundwater-fed Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace (eastern France), resulting from disturbance. Disturbance factors include changes in nutrients, either permanent ones - effluent from a waste water treatment plant or trout hatcheries - or periodic ones: flooding. Regular inputs of high levels of phosphate and ammonia modified the macrophyte vegetation in these streams. The floristic composition, which was characteristic of oligotrophic waters upstream of the eutrophicated sector, changed to that of a eutrophic situation as originally found downstream. Periodic disturbance by floods which normally occur once a year, irregularly eutrophicates the small streams, causing the development of a mixture of eutrophic and oligotrophic species. Six macrophyte communities are distinguished, indicating different trophic levels. The aquatic vegetation is adapted to the variations of phosphate and ammonia levels. Hence, aquatic macrophytes can be used as bio-indicators of fluctuations in water nutrient levels in relation to the type of disturbance.     

Apoptosis in experimental myocardial infarction in situ and in the perfused heart in vitro

We report the appearance of apoptotic cells in experimental myocardial infarction (rabbit heart) in in situ and in vitro preparations. Apoptosis was recognized by intravital staining with Hoechst 33342 (Ho342), by nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and by DNA laddering. A steady rise in the relative number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes (apoptotic index) was noted in in situ preparations. Apoptosis was first noted 6 h after the onset of ischemia with its highest value occurring after 72 h. Apoptotic nuclei were absent in remote areas of the left and right ventricles. Apoptotic nuclei within the infarcted area showed diminished intensity of Ho342 fluorescence. Three days after ischemia, a border zone adjacent to the infarcted area consisting of apoptotic macrophages was recognized. A novel finding was the appearance of apoptotic cardiomyocytes in the isolated perfused ischemic heart. Occurring as early as 50 min after the onset of ischemia, a high apoptotic index was present adjacent to the ligature placed around the coronary artery. This observation provides the opportunity to selectively examine factors leading to apoptosis in the ischemic heart under controlled experimental conditions.     

Morphine-potentiated platelet aggregation in in vitro and platelet plug formation in in vivo experiments

The detailed mechanisms underlying morphine-signaling pathways in platelets remain obscure. Therefore, we systematically examined the influence of morphine on washed human platelets. In this study, washed human platelet suspensions were used for in vitro studies. Furthermore, platelet thrombus formation induced by irradiation of mesenteric venules with filtered light in mice pretreated with fluorescein sodium was used for an in vivo thrombotic study. Morphine concentration dependently (0.6, 1, and 5 microM) potentiated platelet aggregation and the ATP release reaction stimulated by agonists (i.e., collagen and U46619) in washed human platelets. Yohimbine (0.1 microM), a specific alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, markedly abolished the potentiation of morphine in platelet aggregation stimulated by agonists. Morphine also potentiated phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization in human platelets stimulated by collagen (1 microg/ml). Moreover, morphine (0.6-5 microM) markedly inhibited prostaglandin E(1) (10 microM)-induced cyclic AMP formation in human platelets, while yohimbine (0.1 microM) significantly reversed the inhibition of cyclic AMP by morphine (0.6 and 1 microM) in this study. The thrombin-evoked increase in pH(i) was markedly potentiated in the presence of morphine (1 and 5 microM). Morphine (2 and 5 mg/g) significantly shortened the time require to induce platelet plug formation in mesenteric venules. We concluded that morphine may exert its potentiation in platelet aggregation by binding to alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in human platelets, with a resulting inhibition of adenylate cyclase, thereby reducing intracellular cyclic AMP formation followed by increased activation of phospholipase C and the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger. This leads to increased intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization, and finally potentiation of platelet aggregation and of the ATP release reaction.